Being sectioned

[Scutterbug]

I’ve had an assessment today and they are putting me on a section two so I have to go into hospital. There are no beds at the moment so I have to see the crisis team daily until they get the bed when my section will start. I’m clinging onto the hope that the crisis team will somehow persuade them not to section me although they said at my assessment to get my bag packed and to expect to be in hospital in the next few days. Has anyone had to wait like this then NOT gone into hospital? I’ve been sectioned before but normally fairly quickly, within 24 hrs or so, so this feels strange. I’m 7th on the list of people waiting.

The sad reality is there are no beds these days No staff so no beds. Thank you Brexit and the Tories.

You could avoid having to go into hospital if you work with CRHTT, take treatment and get better/ reduce risk enough that you don't have to go but that ought to have been considered as part of the assessment already and been felt not to be workable. Medical recommendations have been made for your detention but the AMHP has not made an application because they can't with no bed. If you work with community treatment now and get better they still might not make the application. So yes you can still avoid it

You can definitely avoid it.
You haven’t actually been sectioned because it’s not possible to section someone without a bed. There has to be a bed to detain someone too. But you’ve been assessed and told this is what they want to do.
If you work with the crisis team to keep safe for a few days, you would be reasonable to request that the AMHP reconsiders the decision to detain you and offer home treatment with crhtt as a less restrictive alternative.

They sectioned me today. I hate this place and it all just feels so awful. I can’t stop crying.

Sorry to hear that OP. Did they explain why you were being sectioned?

Not really. My husband asked them not to as well, he said he was happy for me to be at home.

I think it would usually be because you were a danger to yourself or to other people. I was told I was a danger to myself when I was sectioned.

It isn't actually the correct phrase
It should be 'detained under the mental health act' Sectioned is a colloquialism referring to the section of the Act so if you hate the phrase you are well within your rights not to use it
Apart from risk (which is one of the criteria) not complying with community treatment is probably the main reason why people are detained. Most risk can be contained if someone is willing to work with services to reduce it. Ask yourself honestly if you were/ are willing to do that including taking medication and seeing the crisis team.
Of course you have a right of appeal within the first 14 days of s2 with free legal representation and the right to be supported by an IMHA as well and your husband as nearest relative can apply for your discharge too. If you think it was a wrong decision tell the nurses that you want to exercise your right to appeal

Yes I have said I want to appeal. I was taking all medication as prescribed and attending all appointments.

How are you doing OP?

As awful as it is (and you should absolutely appeal) remember the goal is to keep you safe. Try and see it as a chance to breathe and let others take care of you if you can. I know that’s much easier said than done.

You’ve got through this before and you will this time.

xx

Thank you for thinking of me. I’m really struggling in here this time. The ward is full of very unwell women who are noisy and quite aggressive so I just stay in my room. Saw a psych who added in a new medication but it made me really dizzy and nauseous so I’ve only taken it once, I’m not sure what he will suggest now. My tribunal is Friday. There is talk of me going home before then but I’m not sure if the meds being incompatible with me will change that. I’m guessing he will want to try something else and I know one suggestion is a drug I really dislike that I was on before. It made me sleep all the time. So that’s my update, again, thank you for thinking of me x

Sorry you are struggling Scutterbug. Sounds really distressing having all the people around and noise.

Good news though that hopefully it will all be very short term (fingers crossed for you that you’ll be out by Friday.)

Is it short term side effects which should pass on the drugs? Sometimes it can take a week or two to settle down?

xx

Sorry you’re struggling so much, I hope you get out soon.

Helli OP, just sending you a hug and kind wishes. Hope you start to feel better soon and get home xxx

Thank you everyone. I’m seeing the psychiatrist again tomorrow so I will update them. I really appreciate that you’ve taken time to listen to me.

Thinking of you Scutterbug. I hope you have some good news from the psychiatrist tomorrow xx

I hope the psychiatrist was helpful.

How did your meeting with the psychiatrist go @Scutterbug?

All good! I was allowed home for the night and now I’m being allowed home for the weekend. I was supposed to be starting another anti psychotic but he’s put me on mirtazapine instead. Bit strange because I see and hear angels but I guess they’re real and I don’t need the medication. Just glad they are letting me out! I was sectioned because my angels tell me to hurt people but he lifted the section yesterday.

That’s good news @Scutterbug

Has the medication stopped the angels or are they still telling you to hurt people?

Still the same with the angels but the psych says I’m just anxious. My team wanted me to start an anti psychotic on top of the ones I have but he’s gone for an anti d instead.

I hope the med changes help, it must be tricky.

It sounds bad @Scutterbug, please make sure you keep in touch with your doctor especially if you keep hearing these angels. X

Thank you. I’m at home for a few days now. I told a nurse last night that the voices were bad and she said she would talk to the psych but then they let me come home today until Tuesday. I think I need an additional antipsychotic Drug but they’ve not prescribed one.

Coincidentally I came home this week from hospital with psychosis, still hearing voices although they are better than they were. I hope yours reduce and your team stay on top of your meds.

And the same to you. I don’t feel this stay has been very productive . I hoped the voices would go.